Are you familiar with Granny Midwives? In the early years of my journey to become a birth worker I found little to no mention of the granny midwives of the South. In poor and rural communities in the South, Black women, referred to as “Granny Midwives”, provided care to pregnant Black and White folks. They were community healers and part of a legacy of birth workers. Some very well known midwives are Mary Coley (also known as “Miss Mary”) and Onnie Lee Logan. Miss Mary (pictured to the left) delivered over 3000 babies during her career. The Georgia Department of Health featured Miss Mary in t ..read more

Dr. Crumpler is the first African American woman in the United States to earn an M.D. degree. She earned her degree from the New England Female Medical College (the first school to train women M.D.s) In 1883, Crumpler published “Book of Medical Discourses: In Two Parts”, one of the very first medical publications by an African American. Her book focuses on treating illnesses in infants, children and women. Interesting note: There are no verified photographs of Dr. Crumpler. A google search may provide you with images, however, it is said that these photos are most likely photographs of others ..read more

We want to familiarize you with these names. We want people to say their names. Lucy Anarcha Betsey These enslaved women were used by a male doctor to perfect the repair of fistulas. This doctor was also the inventor of the vaginal speculum (notice we choose not to name him in this post). He had no specific gynecological training yet in 1845 he began experimenting with surgical techniques, without anesthesia, on enslaved Black women. These women screamed in pain, became ill with infections and were treated as property. Anarcha had 30 documented surgeries over a four year period. Later, once hi ..read more

Did you know that the term Reproductive Justice was coined by Women of Color in the 1990s? Reproductive Justice is the right to have children, not to have children, and to parent children in healthy and safe environments. The Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice created this term because they were dissatisfied with the limited focus on “choice” that characterized reproductive rights activism (mainly led by middle and upper-class white women). The women drafted a statement, addressed to “members of Congress,” and collected more than 800 signatures. They publicized the statement via ..read more

Are you familiar with Granny Midwives? In the early years of my journey to become a birth worker I found little to no mention of the granny midwives of the South. In poor and rural communities in the South, Black women, referred to as “Granny Midwives”, provided care to pregnant Black and White folks. They were community healers and part of a legacy of birth workers. Some very well known midwives are Mary Coley (also known as “Miss Mary”) and Onnie Lee Logan. Miss Mary (pictured to the left) delivered over 3000 babies during her career. The Georgia Department of Health featured Miss Mary in t ..read more

Dr. Crumpler is the first African American woman in the United States to earn an M.D. degree. She earned her degree from the New England Female Medical College (the first school to train women M.D.s) In 1883, Crumpler published “Book of Medical Discourses: In Two Parts”, one of the very first medical publications by an African American. Her book focuses on treating illnesses in infants, children and women. Interesting note: There are no verified photographs of Dr. Crumpler. A google search may provide you with images, however, it is said that these photos are most likely photographs of others ..read more

We want to familiarize you with these names. We want people to say their names. Lucy Anarcha Betsey These enslaved women were used by a male doctor to perfect the repair of fistulas. This doctor was also the inventor of the vaginal speculum (notice we choose not to name him in this post). He had no specific gynecological training yet in 1845 he began experimenting with surgical techniques, without anesthesia, on enslaved Black women. These women screamed in pain, became ill with infections and were treated as property. Anarcha had 30 documented surgeries over a four year period. Later, once hi ..read more

Did you know that the term Reproductive Justice was coined by Women of Color in the 1990s? Reproductive Justice is the right to have children, not to have children, and to parent children in healthy and safe environments. The Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice created this term because they were dissatisfied with the limited focus on “choice” that characterized reproductive rights activism (mainly led by middle and upper-class white women). The women drafted a statement, addressed to “members of Congress,” and collected more than 800 signatures. They publicized the statement via ..read more

We have been asked numerous questions about the covid-19 virus and our roles as doulas changing in the past few days. While the current climate holds uncertainty with ever-changing hospital policy, protocols, and limitations on support people, Portland Doula Collaborative will continue to support our clients as best we can given the current climate. What will support look like moving forward? If you are asymptomatic and in labor, consider staying home longer, if you feel this is a safe option. This will allow your PDC doula to help you as long as possible. We will also accompany you to the hos ..read more

As one of the first group doula practices in our community we feel an obligation to the wonderful practitioners, families, and fellow doulas who are currently starting their journey into supporting others during the perinatal health period. One of the options available to wellness practitioners who belong to Portland Doula Collaborative, include business support, and mentoring. We are excited to push out a new program for 2020 with increased content in education for doulas, and other wellness practitioners, as well as more community events and meetings to allow for greater networking througho ..read more